British Arab Network Chairman calls on President Sisi to respect human rights and to move to towards genuine democracy in Egypt

In a wide ranging interview on Mustaqilla TV, about the situation in Egypt, Dr. Wafik Moustafa has called on President Sisi to respect human rights and to move towards a genuine democracy. Dr. Moustafa said he was very concerned about the use of the security apparatus by the Egyptian state to undermine and intimidate the political opposition. The infiltration of social media sites by the Mukhabarat (state intelligence) to spy on people and collect information is appalling and unacceptable.

Dr. Moustafa condemned the mass life sentences handed down to people by a politicised judiciary, including the activist Ahmed Doma. Locking up political opponents, including children, will backfire on the regime and isolate them internationally. Therefore they must end this abuse of power.

Dr. Moustafa said that the labelling of all of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorists is shortsighted and silly. It does not help create an environment for dialogue and inclusivesness, which is a pre-requisite for political pluralism in Egypt. He added that all political prisoners and journalists held by the state should be released immediately.